Charlize Theron is ready to go beyond Thunderdome. Mel Gibson, not so much. Multiple sources tell E! News that the Oscar-winning babe is director George Miller's pick to play the lead female role in the upcoming, Mel-less Mad Max 4. When he announced that he would begin work on the sequel back in 2007, Miller admitted Gibson was too old for the antihero role of "Mad" Max Rockatansky, and said, "I don't think he would be interested in being involved at all." Instead, Miller is looking at little-known Brit Tom Hardy, whose credits include Black Hawk Down and Band of Brothers, to play opposite Theron....says E! Online HERE. Hardy, of course, played Picard's weenie clone Shinzon in STAR TREK NEMESIS, and recently appeared in BRONSON (trailer HERE). I think he's a pretty great actor, but I'm not sure I see him as Max. Although, to be fair, whether or not he'd work for the part depends on how the character is being spun this time out... Last I heard, this film was still called FURY ROAD - a title I really hope they keep because it's both perfect for this mythos, says all that needs to be said, and it gives me wood. More details as more comes in...